And a sleek stack at that!
You may remember my pleasant surprise and bubbly conclusion to my review of the Cambridge Edge A Integrated Amplifier: “The Cambridge Audio Edge A is a stunner with looks and performance aimed to do more than please. In my eyes and ears, Cambridge has done their history proud by making one of easiest integrated amplifiers to heartily recommend without reservation. Bravo!”
As you can imagine, when given the opportunity to spend more time with a full stack of Edge, the NQ Preamp/Network Player and M Monoblock Power Amplifiers, I jumped at the opportunity.
The Edge separates follow the same sexy lines as the integrated, thankfully, and the three piece makes for a stunning looking stack-O-pre/streaming power.
The Roon Ready Edge NQ rolls up a Preamplifier and Network Player in one curvaceous box, offering a host of digital inputs and features that allow for connect-plug-and-play operation including Chromecast Built-In, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, AirPlay, Bluetooth aptX HD, and Internet radio.
A pair of line level RCA inputs and a balanced XLR input add to the connectivity options while a Fixed Line Out bypasses the Edge NQ’s internal preamp for use as a streamer-only.
Each Edge M Monoblock Power Amplifier employs the company’s proprietary Class XA Amplification and puts out 200 Watts into 8 Ohms (and 350W RMS into 4 Ohms).
Inputs include a pair of RCAs and a pair of XLRs, while a single set of speaker binding posts, Link/Trigger in/out, and an IEC Power Inlet tell the backside story. I have to say, 52 lbs (a piece) weighs a lot more than it used to and the Edge M feel as substantial as they look.
I’m looking forward to taking the Cambridge Edge Stack for a very long test drive. Stay tuned!
Edge NQ Preamplifier and Network Player
Price: $5499
Edge M Monoblock Power Amplifiers
Price: $4749/each
Manufacturer’s Website: Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Edge NQ Specifications
| D/A Converter | THD <0.0008%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 24-bit, 1Vrms output |
| THD analog sources | <0.0008%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 1Vrms output |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.1dB |
| S/N ratio (ref 1V output) | >103 dB |
| Crosstalk @ 1kHz | < -100dB |
| Max preamp output | 6Vrms single ended or 6Vrms + 6Vrms balanced |
| Fixed Line-out Mode | Yes. The preamplifier can be disabled via the dedicated Edge app for iOS and Android. Within the app, simply turn off ‘preamplifier mode’ in the settings to run a line out via XLR or RCA to an integrated amplifier. |
| USB audio input | USB Audio Class 2.0 supporting up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM, or up to DSD256 |
| USB drive input | 1 x USB 2.0 current limited to 1A, FAT32 / NTFS / HFS / HFS+ |
| Bluetooth | 4.1 (Smart/BLE enabled) A2DP/AVRCP supporting SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX HD |
| UPnP Connectivity | Yes – Accesible via supported app |
| Chromecast built-in | Yes |
| Roon Ready | Yes (Requires a Roon subscription) |
| TOSLINK input | 16/24-bit 32-96kHz |
| Coax S/PDIF input | 16/24-bit 32-192kHz |
| Wi-Fi | IEEE 802.11 b/g or n (2.4GHz), Encryption WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| Ethernet | IEEE 802.3, 10 Base-T or 100 Base-T |
| Max power consumption | 100W |
| Standby power consumption | <0.5W |
| Dimensions | 120 x 460 x 405mm (4.7 x 18.1 x 15.9”) |
| Weight | 10.2kg (22.4lbs) |
| Chromecast built-in | Hi-res wireless connectivity that’s compatible with hundreds of Android and iOS apps. Chromecast built-in is a trademark of Google LLC |
| In the box | Edge NQ Pre-amplifier and Network Player; 1.5M Power Lead; Edge Remote Control; 3 x AAA Batteries; Bluetooth Antenna; Wi-Fi Dongle; Edge Link Cable; Edge NQ User Manual |
Edge M Specifications
| CONTINUOUS POWER OUTPUT (<1% THD+N) | 200W RMS into 8 Ohms, 350W RMS into 4 Ohms |
| THD (UNWEIGHTED) | <0.002% 1kHz at rated power (8 Ohms) <0.02% 20Hz – 20kHz at rated power (8 Ohms) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE (INTO 8 OHM) | <3Hz – >80kHz +/-1dB |
| S/N RATIO (REF 1W INTO 8 OHM) | >93 dB |
| S/N RATIO (REF MAX POWER) | >115 dB |
| GAIN | 28dB (RCA)/ 22dB (XLR) |
| INPUT SENSITIVITY | 1.7V RMS (RCA) / 3.4V RMS (XLR) |
| INPUT IMPEDANCES | balanced 100k Ohm, unbalanced 47k Ohm |
| INPUTS | Balanced, Unbalanced |
| OUTPUTS | Speaker out, Loop out (balanced and unbalanced) |
| MAX POWER CONSUMPTION | 1000W |
| STANDBY POWER CONSUMPTION | <0.5W |
| DIMENSIONS | 150 x 460 x 405mm (5.9 x 18.1 x 15.9″) |
| WEIGHT | 23.6kg (52.0lbs) |
| BOX CONTENTS | EDGE M Monoblock Power Amplifier, Power Cable, Link Cable, Instruction Manual |